One woman’s unshakeable belief in a dog with a complicated life

by Sandy Lurins

Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission: to be of service to them wherever they require it. —Francis of Assisi

These words grace the signature line of emails sent by Dian Hardy, who has given much of her heart, time and energy the past few months to save the life of one dog named Cope.

Cope’s story is a complicated one, with no apparent villain, and many samaritans and well-intentioned people play a part. It’s also a cautionary tale about dogs who live their lives tethered. And the ending is still unknown.

Cope: “Quite the guy”

Cope’s story is sadly similar to the story of many other dogs, with a few twists and one major difference: he has Dian Hardy as his friend and advocate.

According to Dian, Cope originally lived near her in western Sonoma County. He spent most of the first part of his life on a chain in the front yard of his rural home. Several years ago, his owners moved to Nevada, leaving Cope behind because they thought winters there would be too cold. Left with a caretaker, Cope was now living in the back yard, tethered night and day.

Dian had come by to investigate the empty house and saw Cope in the back yard, with minimal shelter. They said hello (he with a wag of his tail) and she began to come by and restock his food and water, and visit a bit. Originally somewhat afraid of Cope (Dian had been chased and attacked by a pack of dogs as a child) she found that she and Cope were becoming friends. He lived in this back yard for the next few years of his life.

During this time, Dian began to think “Maybe Cope would be better off dead. It didn’t seem like a good way for an animal to live.” But she notes, “He was always glad to see me. He’d do a cute little dance when he’d see me coming.”

After a particularly nasty spring rain storm in 2005, Cope was gone. He’d apparently broken his tether and fled. Dian searched for him, and found him at the Sonoma County Animal Shelter and visited him while he was there. In time, he was transferred to the Humane Society of Sonoma County, where he would have more time to find a new home.

Cope is quite the guy. This 9yo chocolate Lab mix is smaller than most labs and a quick learner. He loves his walks, playing ball, and enjoys water games. He should be okay with another dog, but please, no kitties in the household. —FETCH Adoptable Pets, July 2005

Even though he’d had such a rough start in life, Cope did well at Sonoma Humane, and there was no indication of serious behavior issues, according to Angela Bonnert, public relations director. He received basic training and the staff there believed he was adoptable. Eventually, his big day came, and he went home with a young couple who looked forward to giving Cope a loving, happy life in a true home.

Too rich a mixture?

Cope lived in his new home about three months. According to the information Dian has gathered, he enjoyed trips in the car, hiking, and lots of attention.

But all was not perfect. During this time, Cope began to exhibit signs of territorial aggression, according to Angela Bonnert. And not knowing Cope’s history, his new family had kept him tethered during some yard construction. What part that may have played in the surfacing of his issues, we don’t know. Bonnert reports that Julee Fullenwider, Sonoma Humane’s trainer, found Cope was "very anxious" when she came to work with him at his family’s request.

After working with two trainers, Cope’s new family eventually made the difficult decision to surrender him back to the agency after several incidents of nipping and biting. And Sonoma Humane made the difficult decision to not offer him again for adoption, feeling the risk of his biting again is too high.

Before putting him down, however, they did call Dian. Why does Dian think Cope was not successful in his new home? “Perhaps it was too rich a mixture. Lots of excitement, lots of stuff happening. He’d never been in such a great situation—warm house, inside at night, and really, really nice people who paid attention to him. He blew it.”

Life-changing moments

On October 28, 2005, Dian took Cope from Sonoma Humane (after signing a waiver of liability) and since then has worked tirelessly to find a new home for him. (Dian cannot herself adopt him, as she cannot have dogs at her rental.) She has committed to Cope that he will not be put down. “This has definitely changed my life… my time, thoughts, fortune, are at his service.”

She’s been sending emails, asking friends to distribute flyers, and raising funds to pay for his boarding. With the help and cooperation of many on Dian’s extended team, Cope’s board has been paid and a new bed suitable for a senior dog secured. Janet Hamilton of Western Pacific Loans led the way with an initial donation; Dana Pearlman of Take the Lead Training gave Cope two training sessions. Four friends bought a bed, and Animal Farm donated a pillow to go with it. “So many others have sent in $25, $100, or more, and messages of hope,” says Dian.

Cope was at Countryside Kennels until December 20, where Dian says he has not demonstrated the aggression that created his predicament. “He’s happy, healthy, warm at night… good food, doggie friends, and people who care about him,” she adds. Sonoma Humane took him in over the holidays until he could be transferred to a new kennel, slated to happen January 1.

So is Cope hopeless? Obviously Dian does not think so. Angie Bonnert notes that he “really requires a special person” and Dian agrees. She believes the ideal adopter is one with an understanding of dogs with a history [of aggression] and who would know how to handle any display of aggression. A quiet home, not a lot of coming and going, but [where he could get] some exercise and activity.”

Dian has also been chronicling Cope’s history in great detail. She has interviewed many of the people in Cope’s life: his original owners, now in Nevada (who say Cope never bit while with them); the couple who adopted him from Sonoma Humane; and she is in constant touch with the kennel and shelter workers who have been his caretakers. She’s even trying to find a pattern in the nipping/biting incidents that led to his surrender, in hope of avoiding future incidents.

“The amount of time I have spent with him over a number of years is sufficient for me to have an understanding of him, but I have not lived with him in a house,” she says.

“I can help one dog”

Why would one woman lay so much on the line for one dog? A dog with a complicated history that includes aggressive behavior and biting?

“When there’s a need as stark as his, and when it’s close to you, you feel it. In the abstract, yes, there are a lot of dogs… who need help. But in the particular, this dog is someone I can help… this is one dog, whom I know.”

Dian admits that at times she may have let her anger or frustration out toward others. “At first, my heart was hurting for him and I didn’t know what to do. There were times when I would be angry that things would not work out, times I tried to push my way through. But I don’t feel that way now… I feel a tremendous amount of gratitude to everyone, and especially to Cope, who helped me to see that what we need is love. And he’s just such a perfect example of it. I know his adopters cared about him and had to let him go.”

Dian gets by not only through the financial support for Cope, but also credits two of her good friends, Karen Froiland and Maryann Blanchard, as supporting both her and Cope.

In addition to frequently visiting Cope in the kennel, Dian says “He has me going from 5:00 am when I start thinking about him… during the day I send emails, make calls…. I’ll go until 7:30 at night.”

Seeking safe harbor

Obviously it’s not helping Cope’s chances for success that since his surrender, he’s been shuttled from one kennel to another. And Dian worries that she’s exhausting her friends’ pocketbooks keeping up with the high cost of his board.

Recently, the Kitty Committee, a 501(c)3 non profit, has decided to “sponsor” Cope, so donations for him are now tax-deductible.

Dian’s also begun investigating the option of placing Cope in an animal sanctuary, if a suitable adopter is not found. This may require a significant donation for “lifetime care.”

Meanwhile, Dian continues to have unshakeable faith in Cope. “He’s worthy. I know him, I know he is, and I couldn’t let him go."

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, except I am committed to finding him the best life possible.”

Note: FETCH posts regular updates about Cope online at http://blog.fetchthepaper.com. Come find out the latest and add your own comments.